They’ve been making a splash since 2000.
The Long Island Aquarium is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with many of its original marine life still flipping and swimming in Riverhead.
“The sharks are 26, and I’ve got some fish in the reef tank that I’ve had for 26 years, among many others,” co-founder Joe Yaiullo told The Post.
“That’s a credit to our staff, really maintaining the quality of life that the animals need.”
Yaiullo remembers acquiring the aquarium’s four sand tiger sharks just before opening in 1999, when they were a mere 30 inches long.
Now, the apex predators — their teeth are as sharp as they look — come in at around 400 pounds and 10-feet long.
And the exceptionally brave can hop in the water with them.
Diving with sharks
For nearly 20 years, the aquarium has offered guests the death-defying opportunity to take a cage dive into its 120,000-gallon tank. Participants are accompanied by a dive pro and must wear a wetsuit, facemask and weights to keep them from floating up.
Two females, Bertha and Bumps, are the largest of the four, bur Drummer and Shredfin are only smaller by comparison.
The “Jaws”-like monsters were curious as The Post took part in a recent dive in the balmy 68 degrees salt water. One shark collided with the cage’s metal bars, causing them to sway noticeably back and forth.
The tank also features several exotic fish, including a plump Queensland grouper, a green moray eel, and several striped bass, along with other unique marine life, such as the colorful Garibaldi Damselfish.
They’re all safe from the sand tigers simply because they are “lazy” predators who don’t feel the chase is worth the effort, Yaiullo explained.
Just keep swimming
Outside the shark tank, there’s plenty to see at the marine center, which has broadened its footprint since opening 25 years ago and now features reptiles, insects and large mammals.
They proudly display Grey Beauty, a blind seal rescued from an East Hampton beach in 1997, on the front of the property for all to see.
“She was found blind. She was emaciated, malnourished, she had a scar on her back. She had a respiratory infection,” explained Candyce Paparo, director of Animal Training.
“The rescue center was able to rehabilitate her. And bring her back to good health,” the employee of 25 years added.
Grey Beauty joins another 5-year-old blind seal, Buddy Holly, who was found on Fire Island a few years ago.
“You’ll still see them chasing the other animals or playing. It’s really amazing.”
Paparo is also in charge of the aquarium’s four sea lions, two of which were born in 2001.
They routinely perform in an outdoor stadium, showcasing their jumping skills and ability to react on command by holding fun poses — and taking selfies, sometimes planting a slobbery kiss on guests.
“It can take years to train them, but some things they can pick up in a matter of days,” Paparo explained.
Along with being home to four new adorable otter pups, South African penguins have been a fan favorite since they arrived in 2004.
Maggie Seiler, assistant curator of penguins, explained that the group of 19 was originally brought in after being confiscated at customs in the mid-2000s. While the details on their origin story remain fuzzy, Seiler does know “everybody loves them.”
“They have that black and white look — that tuxedo look, the way they waddle, everything about them,” she said.
“People are just so thrilled to see them.”
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